Who knows? It seems improbable, but maybe Brown has learned enough by now to be able to write something that appeals to more than a small minority.
However, look at his track record:
Songs For A New World - 1995, closed after 3 weeks (only 12 performances)
Parade - 1998, closed after 85 performances (won the Tony for score, but against such bottom-of-the barrel competition, background music was one nominee)
The Last Five Years - 2002, closed after 2 months
Urban Cowboy - 2003, closed after 60 performances (purists may not want to include this show, as he only contributed 6 songs)
13 - 2008, closed after 105 performances
The Last Five Years (revival) - 2013, closed after 6 weeks
Bridges of Madison County - 2014, closed after 100 performances
Although fans will like to blame the failure of these shows to run on things other than quality (marketing, direction, etc.), the track record thus far shows an inability to connect with an audience big enough to break even (let alone turn a profit).
It's too bad that the current economics of theatre don't allow a writer to present material more frequently; Lerner and Loewe, for instance, had 3 full flop productions between 1942-45 before they had their first modest success with
Brigadoon (one of those three closed out of town, but they still had the benefit of learning from a full commercial production). Brown has had only 4 and 1/4 shows, 1 revival, and a revue in 19 years.
But, as said before - who knows? This one might do it for him!
Updated On: 6/16/14 at 04:12 PM
